60 held from areas near Pakistani military HQ

Rawalpindi, Oct 18 (IANS) More than 60 suspicious people, among them numerous Afghans, were arrested Sunday during a search operation in areas near the Pakistani military headquarters, which was the scene of a hostage drama eight days ago. Police sources told Online news agency on Sunday that more than 60 suspicious people have been arrested during search operation in the areas located near the headquarters.

Sniffer dogs were also used during the operation.

While a larger number of people were initially rounded, police released all those who had identity cards and other documents.

Stringent security measures were taken here and in adjacent Islamabad capital during the operation.

The Pakistani military is currently engaged in a major offensive against the Taliban in the restive South Waziristan region along the Afghan border.

The offensive comes after the security forces cleared four districts, including Swat, of the Malakand division in the North West Frontier Province of the Taliban.

The militants, in a desperate bid to stave off the current operations, had attacked the Pakistani military headquarters Oct 10 and three police establishments in Lahore Oct 15. Forty-four people were killed in the two assaults.